Side Story 3: Ji Shuohan & Ye Zhile
After finishing breakfast, Ji Zhile went back to his room to play video games while Ye Yunchu headed out.
It was early spring, and a hundred flowers were in bloom. Ye Zhile sat in a rocking chair wearing a thin, beige knitted cardigan. Ji Shuohan sat down beside him, draping an arm over his shoulders, and sighed. “The teacher just called me.”
“Oh?” Ye Zhile asked. “What’s the matter?”
“They insisted that one of us must attend the parent-teacher meeting this time, rather than having his eldest or second uncle do it as proxies.” Ji Shuohan found it somewhat amusing as he spoke. “Itâs likely that speaking to his uncles didn’t work; Zhile probably acted a bit spoiled, and those two just caved in.”
Ye Zhile followed with a sigh of his own. Ji Shuohan added, “How about I go this time?”
“No.” Ye Zhile knit his brows. “Youâre always lecturing him. As soon as he feels wronged, he comes to complain to me. Heâs quite piteous.”
“Well, if heâs done something wrong, I can’t exactly stay silent, can I?” Ji Shuohan countered. “Tell me, how many times has the school called us because of his fighting? He doesn’t even study seriously and causes trouble in class. The teachers told me everything. I just don’t understand; Yunchu is so well-behaved, how did this one end up so mischievous?”
Listening to his complaints, Ye Zhile burst into laughter. “I don’t know, maybe it’s a rebellious phase? Anyway, talk to him properly next time. You always have such a stern face; he says you’re very scary.”
“Is that so?” Ji Shuohan raised an eyebrow, possessing a bit of self-awareness. “I suppose I do look a bit fierce. I’ll try to be gentler next time.”
“Mhm.” Ye Zhile smiled, leaning his head against Ji Shuohanâs shoulder.
The next day, Ye Zhile arrived at the school on time for the meeting. There were students acting as guides at the entrance, and their gazes all converged on him. His aura was noble and elegant; one look was enough to tell he came from a wealthy family. One female student worked up the courage to approach. “Gege, which class are you looking for?”
Ye Zhile thought the young student had a very sweet tongue. He smiled and replied, “Hello, Iâm looking for Grade 10, Class 5.”
The girlâs face flushed slightly. “Oh… follow me.”
She led him to the sign for Class 5. “The parent for Class 5 is here.”
The students sitting there to welcome parents stood up one after another. They knew exactly who Ye Zhile was and hurriedly greeted him. “Hello, Shushu!”
“Hello.” Ye Zhile nodded to them.
“I’ll take you to the classroom,” one student offered.
“Alright, thank you.”
The female student was dumbfounded when she heard the Class 5 students address him that way. He looked so young, yet he actually had a son in high school?
When the student brought him to the classroom door, Ji Zhile was chewing on a lollipop. The moment he saw Ye Zhile, the irritation on his face vanished, and he scurried forward. “Mama, you’re here.”
“Mhm. Where is your seat?” Ye Zhile glanced inside; more than half the parents had already arrived.
“I’ll show you.”
Ji Zhile led him to his seat and then stepped outside. Because Ji Shuohanâs public displays of affection had been world-renowned, Journalist Yeâs photos could be found everywhere. Seeing the real person now, the other parents found it a novelty and wanted to introduce themselves.
“The Leaderâs Spouse looks so young,” a mother nearby remarked with a smile. “You look like you’re in your twenties.”
Ye Zhile had always been poor at handling such social situations. He could only give an awkward smile. “You as well.”
“Your son is truly well-behaved and handsome,” the man in front praised.
Ye Zhile smiled without speaking. He was handsome, but his personality was far from well-behaved.
“How does the Spouse maintain such skin? Itâs so goodâso fair and smooth.” People began crowding in from all sides.
“Uh… going to bed early, and sleeping a lot,” Ye Zhile laughed. Seeing they were about to ask more, he quickly added, “The teacher is here!”
The parents had no choice but to turn around, and Ye Zhile breathed a sigh of relief.
Outside the classroom, students were lined up against the wall. One boy said to Ji Zhile, “Ji Zhile, your mom is way too young. Whatâs the age gap between him and your dad?”
Ji Zhile glanced at him. “Twelve years.”
“Twelve years?” The boy was shocked. “Then your dad is really ‘an old cow eating tender grass.’ When your dad was in university, your mom was still in elementary school. Wouldn’t that count as… Ugh!”
Ji Zhile grabbed him by the collar. Standing half a head taller than the boy, his gaze was fierce. “Keep your mouth clean. Before you discuss my parents, think about your own mother. Tell your dad to earn more money so your mom can afford better clothes.”
Ji Zhile didn’t actually want to insult the boyâs parents, but this person had been the first to run his mouth about his own. His father protected his mother like the apple of his eye; who was this person to gossip? It was pure looking-for-trouble behavior. With his temper, the only reason his fist hadn’t landed on the boyâs face was because his mother was in the classroom and he didn’t want to worry him.
“You! Don’t go too far!” The boyâs face turned red with anger. “Who do you think you are? If your dad wasn’t the Leader, where would you even be!”
Ji Zhile gave a mocking snort, letting go of him with a disdainful look. “Sorry to disappoint, but my dad didn’t become rich by being the Leader. The Ji and Ye families have been wealthy for generations.”
“You!”
“Ji Zhile!” The homeroom teacher, who had seen this through the window from the podium, shouted his name.
Ye Zhile immediately stood up and walked out, finding the two in a tense standoff. He stepped forward. “Zhile? What happened?”
“Nothing, just joking around with a classmate.” Ji Zhile smiled, not wanting his mother to worry. He shot a warning glance at the boy to stay quiet.
The boy couldn’t find any words and could only comply in silence.
“Joking around by grabbing his collar?” The teacher, Mr. Zeng, was a male Beta. Since the first day of school, Ji Zhile had been causing trouble, ignoring lessons, and even clashing with teachers. He had never seen such a mischievous student.
“Mr. Ye, Student Ji Zhile has violated school discipline multiple times, disrupting order in class. Iâve spoken to his uncles many times, but they seem unable to do anything about him.” The teacher seized the opportunity to complain. “I hope you can keep a closer eye on him. He is still young and shouldn’t…”
“Mr. Zeng,” Ye Zhile interrupted him. “Could we discuss these issues later? A parent-teacher meeting is currently in progress. Criticizing him like this in front of all the parents isn’t quite reasonable; he has his dignity as well.”
The teacher hadn’t expected Ye Zhile to say that. He had thought the parent would feel ashamed, but instead, it was he who felt embarrassed.
“Then let’s finish the meeting first and discuss it afterward.” With that, the teacher headed back inside.
“Wait for me outside,” Ye Zhile told Ji Zhile. Hearing his mother speak up for him, Ji Zhile felt like he was on the verge of tears from the emotion. “Mama…”
His mother was always so gentle, never blaming him, and always considering his self-esteem.
“It’s alright. Be good.” Ye Zhile patted his face and went back inside.
Ji Zhile let out a breath and glared at the boy again.
The boy was indignant but couldn’t do anything to Ji Zhile. He just couldn’t understand how an Omega could be so fierce?
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